Monday, February 11, 2013

North Korea nuclear test

North Korea appears to haveused a nuclear weapon. In response, the US must lead a major international effort to tighten sanctions against Kim Jong-un's dictatorship. The Supreme Leader must be made to understand that his nuclear blackmail is utterly unacceptable. Developing this security posture would also send a clear message to Iran. Anyway, for me, the new sanctions should focus on three key areas.

Target Chinese financial entities that do business with North Korea.

Aggressively pursue the criminal syndicates which fuel the patronage networks of the North Korean ruling elite.

North Korea is threatening a further nuclear test and evidence suggests
that this threat is more than rhetoric. While the North Koreans are
steadily improving their ICBM capability, we already know that they have
an albeit basic nuclear weapons facility. To be honest, although the
North Koreans are loud, aggressive and seemingly unpredictable, their
unpredictability has predictable contours. In essence, North Korea's
foreign policy is similar to the actions of a young child. When a child
wants attention or gifts, they cry. When North Korea wants attention or
gifts (economic aid), it threatens war. True, the North Koreans
sometimes take major action, most recently sinking a South Korean ship in 2010. But it's also true that whether headed by il-Sung, Jong-il or Jong-un, the North Korean regime resides on a foundation of luxury and patronage.
It's leaders don't want to die. For all their threats, the North
Koreans are cognizant that war with the US would be an act of suicide.
With American resolve and strength, North Korea can be deterred.

FOREIGN POLICY/NATIONAL SECURITY –While I occasionally write on domestic policy, my passion and primary focus is on foreign policy/national security. I write on a range of subjects, focusing on China, Russia, India, North Korea, the Middle East (in particular Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Terrorism-related concerns). I also write on the broader question of international order.